ISO 29993:2017 PDF

Overview

ISO 29993:2017 - Learning services outside formal education - Service requirements - defines quality requirements for learning services outside formal education, covering lifelong learning, vocational training and in‑company training (outsourced or in‑house). The standard applies to any learning service provider (LSP) delivering interactive learning (face‑to‑face, IT‑mediated or blended) to learners or sponsors. ISO 29993 focuses on clear learning goals, measurable outcomes, evaluation and learner interaction; it is not aimed at formal school/college systems, though it can support their self‑evaluation.

Key topics and requirements

ISO 29993 specifies practical service requirements across the learner lifecycle. Major technical topics include:

• General information: LSP identity, contact details, locations, management, main services, facilitator qualifications, teaching methods and resources.
• Proposal development: understanding client context, objectives, facilitator profiles, teaching and assessment methods, pricing and terms.
• Pre‑acquisition information: course title, objectives, prerequisites, schedule, delivery modes, fees, cancellation/refund policies, feedback and complaints procedures.
• Needs analysis: qualified analysis of learner and sponsor needs, current competence, desired competence, context of application and agreed measurable outcomes (use of national/international scales where available).
• Design and curriculum: curriculum development by experienced designers; alignment of learning materials, assessment methods, facilitator:learner ratios, certificates and monitoring plans.
• Service delivery: qualified staff, appropriate learning materials and environments (physical and virtual), accessibility and cultural considerations.
• Facilitators and assessment: facilitator competence, continuous monitoring, assessment of individual learning outcomes.
• Monitoring, evaluation and invoicing: ongoing performance monitoring, systematic evaluation (including feedback and complaints handling), and transparent invoicing.

Other requirements include confidentiality of learner data and disclosure/consent for information use.

Applications and who uses it

ISO 29993 is used by:

• Corporate training departments and in‑company LSPs
• Commercial training organizations and vocational providers
• E‑learning and blended‑learning providers
• HR, procurement and learning consultants selecting or specifying training services
• Public agencies and NGOs that commission or provide non‑formal learning

Benefits include improved quality assurance, clearer proposals and contracts, measurable learning outcomes, better vendor selection and enhanced learner satisfaction.

Related standards

• ISO 29990:2010 - basic requirements for learning service providers (management system elements referenced)
• ISO 29991:2014 - language learning services outside formal education
• ISO 21001 - educational organization management system (under development referenced)
• ISO/TR 22411:2008 - guidance for services for older persons and persons with disabilities

ISO 29993 is an operational standard for anyone specifying, delivering or procuring learning services outside formal education who needs consistent, learner‑focused quality criteria.